A total teaching tool

Plays presented as full-cast, unabridged drama, with the option to hear the audio with and without detailed commentary and analysis. Forget reading aloud – SmartPass sets the stage in the classroom, enabling teachers to creatively present and interact with the text.

Written specifically for education by experienced, enthusiastic teachers and theatre-in-education experts.

Simple technology brings live theatre into any school, using regular audio CD or MP3-CD formats, plus CD-Rom materials for teachers with IT .

Designed to develop critical thinking skills and study strategies – to achieve a student’s full potential.

Powerful audio drama is linked to multi-task projects, which may be used chronologically, thematically, or as a dip-in resource. Each project includes:

Class discussion topics

Research tasks

Writing exercises

Drama activities

Essay and coursework suggestions

Worksheets – maps, diagrams, text excerpts and archive documents

Both formats include full read-along scripts to print, view on screen, or project onto an interactive whiteboard.

Perfect for accelerated learners, as the resources can be used in small groups or for individual study.

Ideal for students to catch-up (due to illness or absence) or for special educational needs, such as dyslexia.

The commentary and analysis is friendly and conversational, designed to be easily absorbed. It demonstrates critical thinking skills and models debate and discussion, enabling teachers to achieve better group participation and to spark creative projects, based on sections of the audio, in class.

Nothing is dumbed-down – difficult language is explained, history and social history is explored, and this understanding and appreciation of why a piece of literature is relevant and important in today’s world, allows each and every student to immerse themselves in the text, to get under the skin of the author and their work.

To listen live or download sound clips and sample teacher materials, simply click on the titles opposite.

All titles are available on 30 day trial. Discounts on multiple titles and Student Editions – perfect for the library of English resource centre – are available.

Licenses may be purchased for an entire class to access Student Edition guides on individual players – contact us for more details (we can also supply pre-loaded MP3 players).

Additional titles – novels and poetry – are also available as Student Editions. To find out more visit the SmartPass Student page.

A wealth of useful materials… convincing and, with the accompanying commentaries, they do help students to appreciate the texts.

Times Educational Supplement

Everyone in my class gained a GCSE English Literature pass. I know this was helped by using SmartPass!

Miriam Oakley, Senior Teacher, Chestnut Grove School

Audio guides offer unique access and insight into great literature. Each is a vivid walk through the imagery, themes and background.

SEN, the journal for special education

By presenting the guide scripts like radio drama, they bridge the gap between exposure to the text and an understanding of it.

SENCO Update

High quality and extremely good value. These guides would enthuse and actively involve students of all abilities.

SNIP, Special Needs Information Press

A super resource for anyone studying the play

InTeractive

Clear and lively… a stimulating study aid

Sunday Times

King Lear by William Shakespeare (unabridged)

Judge for yourself whether Lear is ‘a man more sinned against than sinning’ in this moral tale that pits wisdom and age against ambition and youth. Experience and examine the power of Shakespeare’s most cruel and violent tragedy.

Othello by William Shakespeare (unabridged)

Meet literature’s greatest villain in this tragedy fueled by jealous rage. Journey into the twisted mind of Iago, who freely admits ‘I am not what I am’, to truly get under the skin of this wondrous play.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (unabridged)

Winner of the bronze award for Best Drama, Spoken Word Awards 2004. The poetry of Shakespeare’s star crossed lovers is poignantly performed and expertly explained in this unique production: ‘Passion lends them power.’

Macbeth by William Shakespeare (unabridged)

‘And nothing is, but what is not.’ Macbeth may be mystified by the Weird Sisters’ words but this intense performance with incisive commentary cuts to the heart of Shakespeare’s complex psychological tragedy.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (unabridged)

When characters have to ask ‘Are all the people mad?’ your students need a guide! Explore this topsy-turvy world to understand, enjoy, and analyse the language, imagery and themes of Shakespeare’s dark comedy.

Henry V by William Shakespeare (unabridged)

Winner of 2 silver awards for Best Original Audio and Publishing Initiative, Spoken Word Awards 2005. Examine and explore the powerful language of leadership in this guided history play, considered to be Shakespeare’s greatest creative statement about war.

Shakespeare the works

Discover the genius of William Shakespeare in this entertaining and educational drama, designed to whet the appetite and introduce your students to the man, the life, the legacy. Includes key scenes from the major plays.

An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley (unabridged)

Peel away the layers of Priestley’s complex drama to appreciate this powerful warning play, wrapped up in the genre of a gripping detective story, to truly understand that ‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body’.